Research Interests:

Regulation of Adhesion of Leukocytes and Other Cells in the Bloodsteam

Research Description:

The focus of our laboratory is cell adhesion and motility, with special emphasis on the role of the cytoskeleton in regulation of adhesion molecule function. A major focus is interactions between leukocytes and vascular endothelium. This research combines standard biochemistry, molecular biology and cell systems from gene-targeted knockout mice with the latest optical methods, including Laser-Tweezers-based micromanipulations, videomicroscopy, and computerized image analysis. This unique approach yields new insights into the mechanisms of host defense against infection, as well as the disease processes of diabetes, vasculitis, autoimmunity and atherosclerosis, and how they influence each other.